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Zune 2 Review   Rating: (5.9 / 10)    Views: 17,096

Submitted By: phip42 on 11/13/2007. (  |  Share  |  Clikk It! )   

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Zune 2 Review


Zune 2 Review

Microsoft has now officially released the Zune 2, the follow up to their mostly shunned original Zune media player. Along with updated firmware and software Microsoft has also slimmed down the design, made the screen even bigger for the 30GB and 80GB models (27% bigger) and a.d.d.a couple more versions of their product, namely the 4GB, 8GB, and 80GB Zune's.

The 4GB model will currently set you back $149.

The 8GB model currently costs $199.

The 30GB Zune 1 with new firmware is selling for $199.

The 80GB model currently costs $249.


They have also upgraded their Wi-Fi features to now allow wireless sync with the computer (thank you!). This is a huge bonus over competing media players such as the iPod. They are also expanding their sharing capabilities so that the "3 day" limit is no longer in effect when you transfer copyrighted files from another zune. The 3 play restriction is still in effect however.

The new zune also boasts an upgraded interface including the use of the "squircle" button, which is basically a touch sensitive button that allows you to scroll, adjust volume, etc by rubbing your fingers over the squircle. It also acts as a button if you push areas of it.

The Zune software was pretty well completley overhauled. They now allow you to subscribe to podcasts and can sync up TV shows recorded on Windows Medica Center. They have also a.d.d.a bunch more media file formats to the list of accepted formats on the Zune.

In addition to that, the new interface takes a "don't make me think" approach. One downside to the new interface is Microsoft's choice to go with a mostly "pink" application. That's right. Apparently they must have had some meeting where they said "Let's see, picking brown was a great choice for the original Zune. What's the second least favorite color out there next to Brown??? Pink!!! Let's go with that". Presumabley the Zune 3's primary color will be bright yellow or puke green.

Asside from the Pinkness of it, the software seems to run faster and has some nice new features as described above.

The Zune 2 also features a customizable back, so you can get different "skins" for your zune.


My Personal Review

After playing with the Zune 2 here is what I think.

The Zune 2 is much slimmer than the original Zune, which was slightly brick-like. However, this brick-like casing and design proved to be an extremley sturdy one. The new design seems sturdy enough and we shall see if it rivals its predecessor in reliability.

I like the new squircle over the old "traditional" button interface. The bigger video screen is awesome! (eat your heart out iPod).

Microsoft has done a good job addresses the need for adding a smaller flash based zune as well as a larger 80GB zune.

The addition of the podcasts was a much needed improvement. The zune software interface for podcasts is very easy to use, as long as your eyes don't get hurt by the abundant pink coloring everywhere.

The wireless syncing feature worked amazingly smoothly. The Zune software autodetected my dsl router settings, including security key and transfered the settings to my Zune. The whole setup for wifi syncing took about 20 seconds.

In comparison to the iPod, I'd say Microsoft is finally in a position to challenge them with the zune 2 (not so much with the Zune 1). The Zune 1 was too big, too heavy, and not feature rich enough. The software was confusing and very slow (not that iTunes isn't slow).

What Microsoft has going for them now is

-a nicer UI on the software end than iTunes has.

-The Wifi integration is a huge plus over the iPod.

-The screen on the Zune 2 is huge compared to the ipod (though the screen on the Zune 1 was also huge comapred to the iPod).

-Battery life is comparable (20 hours audio and 6-7 hours video).

-The Zune has an FM radio built in unlike the iPod.

-The Zune hardware produces superior sound quality than what the iPod is capable of.

-Hard drive space is comparable.

-The Zune marketplace offeres an affordable subscription pass, which iTunes doesn't.

-And finally the Zune 1 proved to be lightyears ahead of the iPod in terms of durability. Presumably the Zune 2 will continue that trend, but we can't say that just yet. It seems sturdy enough anyways.


Overall I'd say the Zune 2 has finally passed the iPod in most respects. However there are some much needed improvements that could still be made to help truly make the Zune the top portable media player out there.

First off Microsoft needs to release an API for the Zune. They do that and they will very quickly cut huge chunks out of the iPod's marketshare. It's only a matter of time before Apple does this, so microsoft needs to try to beat them to the punch. The fact that the Zune has wifi will allow for some pretty cool programs to be made if Microsoft were to release a comprehensive API.

Next microsoft needs to allow by default the use of the Zune has a portable drive. Up until this point this can only be achieved by a registry edit in windows. (are you stupid Microsoft? why isn't this feature enabled?)

They also need to stop picking awful colors for their interfaces, brown... now pink?!?! Whoever's ideas these were needs to be fired, plane and simple.

Ask 100 people what their favorite color is and you'll likely get one or two that will say brown and maybe some teenie bop girls that will say pink.


So basically if you are shopping for a new media player I'd get the Zune 2. It's cheaper than equivalent iPods and has more features. Oh and when Microsoft updates their media players they don't make you buy the new version to get the new features. All the Zune 2 firmware and software upgrades are free for Zune 1 users. Unlike Apple who likes to make you buy a new one evertime they come out with any new feature. But really that's ok because your iPod would have probably broke anyway's in between the month or so where Apple announces some new version of the iPod. (bitter much? yes i am ;-)

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